Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
Planet Earth Song
Steve Forbert Lyrics
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You're lookin' for Easy Street, which don't exist
And count the years, yes, and count the years
You smash the mirrored walls, and you cut your fist
You can't control yourself, you can't resist
And shed a tear, oh, yes, and shed a tear
Gotta love to live
Gotta wild, old, rambling road, boy
You've seen the queen of hearts get torn in half
Beneath the chandelier, the golden calf
And diamond rings, yes, yes, yes, and diamond rings
You've seen them factories and railroad yards
And silver moonlit walls with windows barred
And all these things, oh, yes, and all these things
Gotta love to live
Gotta long, old, winding road, boy
And back in Baltimore the morning came
Her face was paradise; you hear her name
Can't break her spell, oh, no, you can't break her spell
She's bound for distant lands, and she won't be back
Her voice was soft and sweet, her skin so black
And fare you well, oh, say well, well, well, and fare you well
Gotta love to live
Gotta lost, old, lonesome road, boy
The lyrics of Steve Forbert's "Planet Earth Song" paint a picture of a world that can be both beautiful and harsh, full of both wonder and heartbreak. The singer is navigating through life, trying to find his place and purpose amidst the chaos. The first verse describes his struggle, as he walks down Silver Avenue in the rain and mist, searching for Easy Street but realizing it doesn't actually exist. He is haunted by his reflection in the "mirrored walls" and lashes out, cutting his fist. Despite his best efforts, he can't resist his own impulses and is overwhelmed with emotion, shedding a tear.
The chorus provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer reminds himself that he "gotta love to live" and accepts the reality of the "wild, old, rambling road" ahead of him. The second verse offers more vivid imagery, as the singer recalls seeing the "queen of hearts get torn in half" and witnessing the excesses of wealth through "diamond rings." However, he has also seen the grittier side of life, including factories and railroad yards, and moonlit walls with windows barred. The overarching message seems to be that life is a series of experiences, both good and bad, and it's up to each individual to find meaning in it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Down Silver Avenue in rain and mist
Walking through a dimly lit and wet street
You're lookin' for Easy Street, which don't exist
Looking for a life of ease, which does not exist
And count the years, yes, and count the years
Reflecting on the years that have passed
You smash the mirrored walls, and you cut your fist
Breaking down barriers and hurting yourself in the process
You can't control yourself, you can't resist
Losing self-control and giving in to temptation
And shed a tear, oh, yes, and shed a tear
Crying over the situation
Gotta love to live
You must love to live
Gotta wild, old, rambling road, boy
You must take the winding and uncertain path
You've seen the queen of hearts get torn in half
You have witnessed heartbreak
Beneath the chandelier, the golden calf
In a lavish and materialistic environment
And diamond rings, yes, yes, yes, and diamond rings
The desire for wealth and luxury
You've seen them factories and railroad yards
You have seen industrial areas
And silver moonlit walls with windows barred
You have seen prison-like structures
And all these things, oh, yes, and all these things
All of these experiences
Gotta long, old, winding road, boy
You must take the long and unpredictable road
And back in Baltimore the morning came
In Baltimore, morning has arrived
Her face was paradise; you hear her name
You are enchanted by her beauty
Can't break her spell, oh, no, you can't break her spell
You are unable to resist her charm
She's bound for distant lands, and she won't be back
She is leaving for faraway places and will not return
Her voice was soft and sweet, her skin so black
She has a gentle and pleasant voice, and her skin is dark
And fare you well, oh, say well, well, well, and fare you well
You bid her farewell
Gotta lost, old, lonesome road, boy
You must take the lonely and uncertain path
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: STEVE FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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